|
"He caused the storm to be still, so that the waves of the sea were hushed then they were glad because they were quiet."
(Ps 107:29,30)
On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, "Let us
cross over to the other side." Now when they had left the multitude,
they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were
also with Him. Jesus had been teaching the crowds by the seashore all day.
He They left the western shore of the Sea of Galilee and headed for the
eastern side. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the
boat, so that it was already filling. (Mark 4:37 NKJV)
The disciples had "launched out" at Jesus' command, and here
they were, fearing for their lives, caught in the teeth of storm that was
fiercer than anything they had ever seen - this storm was real, and their
perceived danger was real. Yet here He was - sleeping! They wake Jesus up,
believing they are dying, and feeling that He did not care for them; yet
knowing that He had the power to help them. (Mark 4:38b NKJV)
One might think that falling into a deep sleep in a tiny boat, during a
severe storm of such magnitude that experienced sailors were afraid for
their lives would be quite impossible. But Jesus was walking in His
Father's will, He had no fear that either He or His disciples would perish
in this storm. In John 17:12 Jesus spoke to His Father saying "While
I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You
gave Me I have kept." We know that Jesus often went off by Himself to
pray. He had an assurance that the Father always heard Him.(John 11:42).
Because of this, He could enter into a deep sleep at the stern of the
boat, His head resting on a cushion, while the storm raged. He had prayed
for His disciples, He knew they were safe, despite outward appearances.
The disciples, however, had yet to learn this lesson for themselves
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be
still!" And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. (Mark 4:39
NKJV). No matter how fierce the storm, a few words from Jesus
and it's gone.
Jesus then asked the disciples about their fear and lack of faith; they,
in turn, asked: "Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey
Him!" (Mark 4:40,41 NKJV). They had heard Him preach, and He had
given them power to heal the sick and cast out demons, (Mark 3:15), yet
they doubted His plan would be carried out, that they would make it to the
other side.
At times he quiets the storms and sometimes he quiets us. Faith is
belief that the Lord can still the storms of life and trust that if He
does not do so He will bring some good out of the evil situation. All too
often we only hear what we want to, wanting to forget His warning "In
the world you will have tribulation (John 16:33)"; but He has not
left us alone and helpless - we can take comfort knowing that He has overcome the world and from His promise that He will never
leave us or forsake us.
|
|
